Green IT: Burden or Opportunity?

The green philosophy in general, and the 'go green' movement and green demands on corporate IT in particular, do not excessively or unduly burden IT systems, corporate IT departments or functional units. In fact, these initiatives provide an opportunity to revisit and examine our IT systems and their operations in terms of energy efficiency and resource utilization, and thereby enable us to go lean on IT, minimize IT's energy consumption and save on energy bills. Until recently, IT functions and activities primarily focussed on meeting their functional and performance requirements. Very little attention was paid to aspects such as energy consumption, effective utilization of IT resources, IT's operational costs or IT's negative impact on environments at the stages of design, manufacturing, use, reuse and disposal. There is a pressing need to address these neglected or overlooked aspects as they are now important for safeguarding our environment. IT is required to go green. It is good for IT, businesses and the entire planet. Though initially some might view going green as a burden, a closer examination of green philosophy reveals that it includes improving energy efficiency, improving resource utilization, reducing waste, promoting reuse and recycling and more such benefits. This will give the necessary impetus and motivation to turn IT green and use IT in innovative new ways to green all other corporate functions.

We also need to look at green requirements from another viewpoint. The implications of not going green might cost a lot in the context of emerging stricter environmental regulations, stakeholder demands, competitiveness, brand or corporate image and social responsibility. A holistic and objective view would reveal green IT - greening of IT and greening by IT - to soon become a necessity, not an option. Even if one feels overburdened with 'go green' initiatives and demands, it is better to adopt them in the interest of self and our planet.

Green IT will be a top priority for several years to come, as it is both an economic and environmental imperative. Several case studies on greening efforts reveal that businesses that reduce their environmental (carbon) footprint can also reduce costs and improve their public image. IT professionals, CIOs and IT support staff are thus being called upon to deliver environmentally sustainable IT solutions (Wilbanks, 2008). Even simple steps that one individual or organization takes can make a huge difference when leveraged across the vast number of individuals and organizations across the world.
However, there is a disparity in the level of green IT understanding across companies, IT professionals, students and IT users. Many do not know how or where to begin or are unwilling to implement green IT. Although green initiatives are catching the attention of the corporate world, some IT professionals, executives and IT departments feel excessively burdened by the green philosophy. However, upon closer examination, they will find that going green is a sound strategy.

Green initiatives let us revisit and examine our IT systems and their operations in terms of energy efficiency and resource utilization, and thus can reduce energy bills. Until recently, very little attention was given to IT's energy consumption, effective use of resources, operational costs and negative environmental impacts during manufacturing, use and disposal. Now, however, a spotlight has been turned on IT, and there is a pressing need to address these overlooked aspects, which are important in safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Businesses also need to look at green requirements from another viewpoint - that is the implications of not going green in the context of stricter environmental regulations, stakeholder demands, competitiveness, branding and corporate image and social responsibility. Smart companies will adopt an environmental strategy to innovate, create value and build a competitive advantage. They will benefit by viewing these challenges as strategic opportunities.
Again, the greening of and by IT will soon be necessities - not options. To help create a more sustainable environment, IT professionals must understand green IT and its potential. Publications that describe new advances, outline current trends and present solid case studies demonstrating green IT's benefits will help provide this understanding and the motivation to 'green' IT.